Tag Archives: fun

While obsessively knitting, the homeless kept coming to my mind. I thought I’d knit a scarf because it could cover the head and even the hands in a pinch. Then I thought, I would like to make it big, so it could do double duty as an individual blanket. My clever daughter, (Maggie Binzley), suggested I make it tubular and it could be a sleep sack.

So I did. Here’s my second sleep sack scarf. This one is crochet.

To make it, I used 100% wool, 1 1/2 pounds..

Size K hook

Chain 122 stitches.

*Double crochet into the fourth chain from the hook. (The 4 chains count as a turning double crochet plus one skipped chain.)

Skip the next chain.

Alternate double crochet and skipping a chain until the end of the row.*

At the end of the row, slip stitch into the beginning to make a circle. Continue working around and around to make a tube.

Repeat the * area until you finish a few inches.

Change color after a few rows for edging and do the same at the other end of the scarf for the last few rows.

Continue for as long as you want the scarf.

Alternately, you can make the scarf all in one color

Sew together one end for the bottom of the sack. The scarf is 20″ wide, (double layer) and 60″ long. Make it longer for an adult and wider if you like.

Every year people in Toronto freeze to death because they have nowhere to come in from the cold. We can’t knit shelter, but we can do the next best thing. We’re asking you to put your needles together and spend some time this summer knitting some warmth into a sweater, a hat, mittens, socks, or a scarf to keep someone warm this winter.

While obsessively knitting, the homeless kept coming to my mind. I thought I’d knit a scarf because it could cover the head and even the hands in a pinch. Then I thought, I would like to make it big, so it could do double duty as an individual blanket. My clever daughter, (Maggie Binzley), suggested I make it tubular and it could be a sleep sack.

So I did. Here’s my first sleep sack scarf.

sleep sack scarf

To make it, I used 100% Merino wool, 300 Gm.

Size 15 circular needle

Cast on 90 stitches. I purled the first 8 rows at each end of the scarf. All other rows are knit. Because of knitting in a circle, it makes a stockinette stitch. Sew together one end for the bottom of the sack.. The scarf is 15″ wide, (double layer) and 42″ long. Make it longer for an adult and wider if you like.

There was a yarn shop to tempt me. And Sou Sou, a clothing designer who modernizes traditional Japanese wear. By this time I was back to Nishiki Market. There is a knife store there that sells all types of prized Japanese knives.

My last day in Kyoto was for shopping – very wise planning by Esprit Travel and Tours. The next morning when I checked out, I sent my large bag and the smaller one that was in it to the airport to wait for me. The next week I would travel with just may backpack.

I brought slacks and tops to discard as I went. For the next week I had the slacks I was wearing and another pair. As I shopped in the next week I could let go go clothes and make some room in my backpack. Also, I planned to ship purchases directly to the airport.

I started out early and shopped near my hotel. Then I went back to leave my purchases in my room. The hotel, the Toyoko-In Shijo Omiya, caters to businessmen and depends on the clientele being out of their rooms during the day while they clean. Using my handy dandy translator card, I was able to communicate that I wanted to leave my purchases in my room. the manger accompanied me up to my room while I left off my bags.

The doors to the rooms were open and the only ones on the floor were hotel staff. I am guessing they go through all the rooms and clean all the bathrooms then vacuum all the rooms etc. The rooms are very clean.

I had this kimono from a previous trip.

I purchased these accessories to go with it. Now I have to figure out how to put them on properly.

My first stop was the Bizen museum as recommended by Esprit Travel and Tours. It was uplifting and inspiring to see the work of masters in the art. I fell in love with a coffee cup in their shop. When I went to pay for it; I found they don’t take credit cards. I asked what places do take credit cards and they marked it on a walking map of the village that had all the pottery studios listed.

I found myself wishing I could live there. The town is so charming.

It is very beautiful and the streets were newly paved since my last visit.

I found what I wanted – a coffee cup that reminded me of the ones at Somushi’s. Their pottery is not from Bizen, it just looks like it to me.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I had a little brown teapot. I used to drink tea sitting in a garden window and write letters to my birth family. When I saw this teapot, it took me back to that time and brought tears to my eyes. I bought both these items at a co-op gallery.

Yes, there is a little chip in the spout, that I did. Funny but my old teapot had a chip in the spout also. All my pottery pieces arrived home with me unchipped and in excellent condition. They pack them well.

Before boarding my train back to Kyoto, I had time to stop at the small restaurant at the train station. I was enchanted to find myself surrounded with beautiful pottery.

The menu had pictures of the food, so I pointed at what I wanted. The waitress communicated to me that they only had one item available at this time.

When it arrived I was even more enchanted. It was served on a chilled Bizen plate and it was this beautiful dessert.

There was a card on the table advertising beer and I held it up and asked for one. My waitress said it’s non-alcoholic. I laughed and said that is probably even better for me.

When she brought it, it was in a chilled Bizen glass. It doesn’t get any better than this. Now I want to go back to Bizen to get a plate and a glass.